Elf

ELF

Artist:   Elf
Origin:  UK
Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal, Country Rock, Jazz Rock

Original line-up:

Ronnie James Dio:  Lead Vocals, Bass
David Feinstein:  Lead Guitar
Doug Thaler:  Keyboards
Nick Pantas:  Guitar
Gary Driscoll:  Drums

Elf was a Rock Band founded in 1967 by Ronnie James Dio (Vocals and Bass), Doug Thaler (Keyboards), Gary Driscoll (Drums), Nick Pantas (Guitar) and David Feinstein (Lead Guitar), originally called The Electric Elves, then was shortened to The Elves in 1968 and finally called Elf in 1972.  Elf disbanded in 1975 after recording three albums and after most of the line-up had been absorbed into Richie Blackmore's new group, Raibow.

Title:   ELF  (1972)
Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock
Label:   Epic Records, Purple Records
Rating:   *****

 1.  Hoochie Koochie Lady  (5:32)
 2.  First Avenue  (4:23)
 3.  Never More  (3:50)
 4.  I'm Coming Back For You  (3:27)
 5.  Sit Down Honey (Everything Will Be Alright) (3:48)
 6.  Dixie Lee junction  (5:09)
 7.  Love Me Like A Woman  (3:47)
 8.  Gambler, Gambler  (4:26)

Personnel:

Ronnie James Dio:  Vocals, Bass
David Feinstein:  Guitar
Mickey Lee Soule:  Piano
Gary Driscoll:  Drums

Producer:  Ian Paice, Roger Glover (from Deep Purple)

ELF is the first and debut album by the Blues Rock Band called ELF, was released in August 1972.  After this album, Steve Edwards replaced David Feinstein on Guitar and Craig Gruber took over Bass, leaving Ronnie James Dio solely as the Lead Singer.

Title:  Carolina County Ball (1974)
Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock
Label:  Purple, Line Records
Rating:  *****

Tracks:

 1.  Carolina County Ball  (4:46)
 2.  L.A. 59  (4:21)
 3.  Ain't It All Amusing  (5:01)
 4.  Happy  (5:28)
 5.  Annie New Orleans  (3:01)
 6.  Rocking Chair Rock'N' Roll Blues  (5:36)
 7.  Rainbow  (4:00)
 8.  Do The Same Thing  (3:10)
 9.  Blanche  (2:31)

Personnel:

Ronnie James Dio:  Lead Vocals
Steve Edwards:  Guitar
Mickey Lee Soule: Keyboards
Craig Gruber:  Bass
Gary Driscoll:  Drums

Producer:  Roger Glover

Carolina County Ball was the second album by ELF, released as an LP in April 1974 on the MGM Label, and was released on CD by Line Records.

Title:  Trying To Burn The Sun (1975)
Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock
Label:  MGM Records
Rating:   ****

Tracks:

 1.  Black Swampy Water  (3:43)
 2.  Prentice Wood  (4:37)
 3.  When She Smiles  (4:54)
 4.  Good Time Music  (4:30)
 5.  Liberty Road  (3:22)
 6.  Shotgun Boogie  (3:07)
 7.  Wonderworld  (5:03)
 8.  Streetwalker  (7:07)

Personnel:

Ronnie James Dio:  Lead Vocals
Steve Edwards:  Guitar
Mickey Lee Soule:  Keyboards, Guitar
Craig Gruber:  Bass
Gary Driscoll:  Drums
Mark Nauseef:  Percussion

Producer:  Roger Glover

Trying To Burn The Sun was the third and last album by ELF, released in June 1975 on MGM Records.